Update: Highway near Hanalei Bridge has one lane open; flood watch canceled

Updated at 5:19 p.m. on Feb. 21: Slightly earlier than expected, the National Weather Service has canceled its Flood Watch for the islands of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.

Moderate showers are forecast to redevelop overnight. These showers may be locally heavy at times, but flash flooding is not expected and flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat.

Updated at 3:05 p.m. on Feb. 21: Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge on the North Shore of Kaua‘i is now open to one lane of traffic.

Updated at 1:34 p.m. on Feb. 21: Widespread heavy rain has diminished over Kaua‘i. Stream levels are falling and water has begun to recede. Emergency management reports that Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge is closed, but will soon have one lane open. Although the threat for imminent flash flooding has ended, heavy rain may redevelop at any time this afternoon.

A flood watch remains in effect until 6 p.m.

Updated at 1:14 p.m. on Feb. 21: The following closures remain in place:

• Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge due the elevated river levels
• Kūhiō Highway in the vicinity of Limahuli Gardens (Manoa Stream crossing)
• The HI5 Redemption Center operated by Kaua‘i Community Recycling Services in Kīlauea and
• The Wailua golf Course

Updated at 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 21: The flash flood warning has been extended to 2:45 p.m.

At 11:42 a.m., Emergency Management reports that Kuhio Highway near the Hanalei Bridge remains closed due to flooding. Streams remain elevated across the island and runoff remains high. Widespread heavy rainfall has eased and rain rates have decreased to 1 inch per hour or less. However, additional heavy rain may redevelop over the island early this afternoon.

Updated at 8:43 a.m. on Feb. 21: The flash flood warning has been extended till 11:45 a.m.

At 8:40 a.m., Emergency Management reports that Kuhio Highway near the Hanalei Bridge remains closed due to flooding. Streams remain elevated across the island, and recent rises have been observed on the Wailua River near Lihue.

Periods of heavy rainfall with rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour will continue through the morning. Flooding in drainages, streams, rivers, roads, properties, and other low-lying areas are occurring.

Other impacts include possible landslides in steep terrain.

According to county officials, the Hanalei refuse transfer station is be closed until 9:30 a.m., and the HI5 Redemption Center operated by Kaua‘i Community Recycling Services in Kīlauea is closed today.

All other stations are operating normally, but closures may occur throughout the day depending on the ongoing weather conditions.

A Brown Water Advisory has also been issued for Kaua‘i as heavy rain has resulted in stormwater runoff entering into coastal waters.

For updates on power outages, visit the KIUC public outage map at https://smarthub.kiuc.coop/maps/public/OutageWebMap/.

For weather updates call the National Weather Service automated weather line at 808-245-6001, or visit the NWS website, www.weather.gov/hfo.

To sign up for Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS), the county’s emergency notification service, go to the county’s website, www.kauai.gov and click on “Sign up for Emergency Notifications.” You may also call the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800.

Original post: The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the entire island of Kaua‘i till 8:45 a.m.

Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge has been closed since 11 p.m. on Monday due to high river levels. At 5:16 a.m., Kaua‘i Emergency Management reports that Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge remains closed due to flooding. The Wailua Golf Course is also closed.

With the closure of the highway, Hanalei Elementary School will be closed today, Feb. 21. In addition, Kūhiō Highway in the vicinity of Limahuli Gardens (Manoa Stream crossing) is closed due to flooding.

Streams remain elevated across the island, and runoff remains high. This trend will continue through the morning hours as additional heavy showers with rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour moves in from the
south.

Officials advise against all nonessential travel.